Muck FcDisney wrote:FSUKW wrote:Wanna have some fun.
Teach your players the “3 ball walk” trick play that’s really a steal.
Runner on first or second (or both).
Batter has a 2-0 count. (Or 2-1, doesn’t really matter as long as it’s 2 balls and less than 2 strikes). On the 3rd pitch, if it’s a ball have your batter slow trot to first like he thinks it’s ball 4. He’s gotta sell it like he really thinks it’s ball 4. This will confuse the catcher, pitcher and more than likely the fielders. At the same time the runner on first and/or second slow trot to the next base to help sell thinking it’s ball 4. By the time the umpire calls the batter back, the runner(s) are safe at the next base. Once they get half way, they take off running. Perfectly legal.
The opposing coach will be pissed. LOL
I did this about 10 times in 8 years coaching (Travel Ball). Never once failed.
Bush league. Batter gets one to the helmet on the next pitch.
Yeah, it’s funny but I’m trying to teach them good sportsmanship. It’s easy enough to steal bases right now, so we shouldn’t have to rely on that.
My pitcher said last week, when I went to the mound to talk to him. “Coach, I have an idea. I’m going to hand you the ball and you walk it to the 3rd baseman and the runner will think I have the ball and then the 3rd BM can get him out.”
I laughed at it, but told him that’s cheating and we didn’t need to rely on cheating to win. He was going to strike them out, and if he didn’t, then we’d rely on our defense to get them out.
We played Friday night and the kids on both teams were congratulatin the others and giving them high fives and stuff when they did good. I told all the kids they had great sportsmanship and I was proud of them. Made sure to tell the other coach his kids were great with their sportsmanship too.
I won’t let my kids scream in the dugout at the pitcher either. They can make some noise, but as soon as the pitcher starts his wind up, they are to stop. I tell them to cheer on their teammates and worry about our team, not the opposing team.
I know things will change when they get into middle school and high school, but I just want them having fun and having good sportsmanship right now.
Insert EB’s reply calling me gay now.
:lolthumb